Under the orders of US President Trump, the United States military has begun the removal of up to 1,000+ transgender service members following a Supreme Court decision that allows the government to enforce its ban on transgender individuals serving in the armed forces.
The move has shockwaves through the queer and transgender community. It comes after the court lifted a lower court injunction, paving the way for the Pentagon to discharge trans personnel and bar new enlistments.
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News presenter, has directed the Pentagon to initiate the removal process as soon as possible. Transgender active-duty service members have been given until June 6 to voluntarily separate, with reserve personnel facing a July 7 deadline. Those who self-identify within this timeframe may be eligible for voluntary separation pay.
For those who do not self-report, the Department of Defense will conduct medical record reviews to identify individuals with a history of gender dysphoria or symptoms of the condition. Commanders have also been empowered to initiate medical screenings if they suspect a service member is trans as part of a broader effort to enforce the ban.
The Pentagon estimates that around 1,000 troops have already self-identified as transgender and will begin the voluntary separation process. However, advocacy groups and some military officials believe the true number of transgender service members could be much higher, with some estimates suggesting up to 15,000 trans personnel are currently serving.
Once identified, those troops will be involuntarily discharged. The new policy also prohibits anyone with a diagnosis of gender dysphoria from enlisting in the military, effectively closing the door to future transgender recruits.
President Trump reinstated the ban in January, reversing a policy enacted by former President Joe Biden that had allowed transgender people to serve openly. The Supreme Court’s recent decision, delivered by its conservative majority, did not address the underlying legal merits of the ban, meaning court challenges will continue. However, the ruling allows the administration to enforce the ban while those challenges proceed.
LGBTIQ+ advocacy organisations, including Lambda Legal and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, have condemned the move as a “devastating blow” to transgender service members and a setback for equality in the US military. They argue the policy is motivated by bias rather than military readiness and undermines the dignity and contributions of transgender personnel.
The Supreme Court’s ruling is not the final word, with legal challenges ongoing in lower courts. However, for now, the Trump administration’s policy is in full effect, and the Pentagon is moving rapidly to enforce it.
For the thousands of transgender Americans who have served openly and with distinction, the coming weeks will bring uncertainty, upheaval, and, for many, the end of their military careers.
As one advocacy group noted
“Transgender troops have proven their dedication and capabilities in safeguarding the nation. This decision is not about readiness—it’s about discrimination.”
Australian and Global Reactions
The developments in the US are being closely watched by Australia’s LGBTIQ+ community and allies, many of whom see the policy shift as a stark reminder of the fragility of hard-won rights. Australia allows transgender individuals to serve openly in the military, a policy that has been in place since 2010.
The US decision stands in sharp contrast to the inclusive stance of the Australian Defence Force, and LGBTIQ+ advocates warn it could embolden anti-trans sentiment elsewhere.
